Community

Rubbish mounting in Milford estate due to ‘recycling confusion’

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2024

RESIDENTS of the Mount Estate in Milford Haven are voicing their frustrations and concerns as the area has turned into what they describe as ‘a landfill’. The disarray follows the Pembrokeshire County Council’s implementation of a new recycling scheme, which, according to locals, is the main cause of the problem. Residents have said that the scheme is confusion, they lack information, and there is not sufficient to storage for black bag waste whilst it is waiting for be collected.

Photographs taken on July 18, depict piles of bin bags and rubbish strewn across the estate, a shocking sight that residents say has become the norm. The council’s initiative aimed to align the estate’s waste management with the rest of the county. However, the removal of wheelie bins, which previously protected waste from rats and seagulls, and the introduction of black bag collections every three weeks have led to severe waste accumulation.

One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Pembrokeshire Herald that those living in blocks of flats were instructed by the council to leave their bin bags on the road, resulting in widespread littering. “It’s a recipe for disaster,” the resident lamented.

Kat Cullen, writing on Facebook, expressed her frustration, stating, “Unfortunately this is nothing new. It’s been like this for years but 10 times worse since the new recycling scheme. It’s just not working. It’s turning the estate into a landfill.”

Brian Phillips, also on social media, remarked: “If all residents participated in the recycling scheme it wouldn’t be like this.” However, he acknowledged the council’s historical hesitancy to include the Mount Estate in such schemes due to past littering issues.

Former resident Dave Fairbairn did not mince words, calling the estate a “stinking hovel” that has seen little to no improvement over the years. Marty Jones added, “There are some lovely people living there, ruined by a minority of wasters. Such a shame.”

Another resident Billy Roberts acknowledged the good intentions behind the recycling scheme. However, he pointed out its impracticality for the Mount Estate, suggesting a more centralised collection system could be more effective.

The situation has also highlighted issues with communication and information dissemination. Christine Russell, who lives in one of the new houses, said: “It doesn’t help matters that the council website isn’t up to date as to what bags go out and when. We had to ask the bin men.”

Despite the clear evidence of widespread non-compliance and mismanagement, some residents believe that better adherence to recycling guidelines could mitigate the problem.

Wendy Goldsworthy criticised the current system, highlighting the challenges faced by those without adequate storage space for the new recycling bags. “When will we follow schemes that actually work?” she said.

The Mount Estate’s current predicament serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in municipal waste management and the necessity for well-considered, adaptable solutions that address the unique needs of different communities.

Last year, a county councillor questioned the fairness of the waste recycling system, as some housing estates and flats were subject to the same conditions as the rest of the county.

In late 2019, Pembrokeshire introduced a colour-coded kerbside waste recycling system, with coloured different bags for different types of waste. However, some flats and estates in the county were initially exempt from the new, more complicated system, sticking to the previous options of orange recycling bags and black/grey normal waste bags.

In a submitted question to council, Cllr Carey said: “Since the introduction of the kerbside collection policy, the majority of Pembrokeshire residents have done their part to fulfil their end of the deal.

“As far as I am aware, Mount Estate is not required to put the same effort into their recycling as the rest of the county”, Cllr Carey said.

The Local Authority have now obviously made efforts to change that, but will it work?

Pembrokeshire has been named as the best recycling county in the whole of Wales.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman, said: “As part of the roll-out of the final phases of the kerbside sort recycling scheme in Pembrokeshire, the Mount Estate was moved onto the Kerbside Sort Recycling system in March 2024.

“Each household was provided with the appropriate recycling containers, calendars of collections and literature surrounding the system in addition to a campaign of educational door knocking visits by our Environment Advisors to support households with the changes.

“A large number of properties at the Mount Estate, as per the rest of Pembrokeshire, are presenting their waste and recycling correctly which has resulted in Pembrokeshire being one of the top performing recycling authorities in Wales. This is something we are extremely proud of and thankful for.

“However as the image taken the day before collections show there are some isolated areas which are not fully participating in the recycling scheme at present.

“We are continuing to work with the residents and the housing team surrounding their waste and recycling provisions and to ensure appropriate storage facilities are in place for households.

“We are also taking appropriate action when evidence of fly tipping or non-compliance is found.”

Business

Maenclochog care home turned down after community concerns

Published

5 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CARE HOME scheme for a Pembrokeshire village, which saw objections from the local community council after youngsters had ‘absconded’ from similar sites locally, will need a formal application, planners have said.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Future Nest Care Ltd, through agent Evans Banks Planning Limited, sought a certificate of lawfulness to allow the use of dwelling house Brynawel, Maenclochog as a care home for two youngsters between the ages of five and 16 with specific needs.

A supporting statement said the youngsters would be supported by three qualified and experienced staff members during the day and two at night; the certificate of lawfulness application made to establish that formal planning permission is not required to use an existing two-storey detached dwellinghouse into a residential care facility to accommodate two children, supervised 24/7 by staff.

It added: “The proposed use is designed to provide a safe, nurturing, and family-style environment to help the young residents develop essential life skills and prepare for independent living. The residing youngsters will attend local schools or colleges and participate in community life, in the same manner as any young person living in a traditional family home.

“The qualified and experienced staff will prepare those children for their re-introduction back into a life without supervised care. The residing youngsters would attend the local school or further education college, as would any youngster under 18 living in a family home.”

However, Maenclochog Community Council objected to the proposals after residents expressed their concerns.

In its objection, it said: “This proposal has raised significant concern within the village, particularly as there are already multiple provisions for similar accommodation on the outskirts of Maenclochog.

“In the past, young people accommodated at these facilities have frequently absconded, leading to repeated searches across the surrounding area. This history heightens local anxiety regarding the introduction of further such provision within the village.”

It added: “Neighbouring residents have not been consulted regarding the proposed change of use, which has led to unease and a lack of confidence in the applicants’ intentions and in the suitability of the site for this form of development.”

It went on to say: “Before any decision is made, Maenclochog Community Council strongly believes that local residents should be afforded the opportunity of a public consultation. While the proposal may represent an economic decision for the property owners, it has wider implications for the village and its residents.”

An officer report recommended refusal of the certificate of lawfulness, concluding that “a material change of use would occur in relation to the proposed use of the site and as a result a certificate of proposed lawful use cannot be granted”.

In refusing the lawfulness call, planners said “the frequency of staff changes and the number of vehicle movements associated with the proposed use of the property would be materially different to those associated with its lawful use as a dwelling,” the material change of use to a care home requiring a formal planning application.

Community

Pembroke Fair praised as well-organised community event

Published

23 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HORSES, STALLS AND FAMILY CROWDS RETURN TO MONKTON

FAMILIES, horse owners and visitors turned out in force for Pembroke Fair on Saturday (May 23), with many praising the event as one of the best organised in recent years.

Held at the Community Centre Field in Monkton, the annual fair brought together horse owners, traders and local families for a traditional day centred around horses, ponies, stalls and socialising.

Coloured cobs, heavy horses, ponies and horse-drawn traps attracted attention throughout the day, with many visitors gathering around the field to watch the animals being shown and led around the site.

A variety of stalls selling everything from clothing and ornaments to tack and second-hand goods helped create a lively market atmosphere, while food vendors kept visitors fed throughout the day.

Despite overcast conditions at times, the event remained busy, with many attendees staying for several hours to enjoy the traditional fair atmosphere.

Community members later took to social media to praise the smooth running of the event, with several publicly thanking organiser Charlie Price for his efforts in bringing the fair together.

Comments described the day as “well organised” and praised the welcoming atmosphere, with many saying it was encouraging to see a long-standing local tradition continuing to thrive.

The fair once again brought together members of the travelling community, local residents and horse enthusiasts from across west Wales.

A horse drive was also due to take place on Sunday (May 24), continuing the weekend’s celebrations.

Photo captions:

Traditional gathering: Horses, ponies, horse-drawn carts and market stalls drew crowds to Pembroke Fair in Monkton on Saturday (Pic: Herald).

Business

New facilities at Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club agreed

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL by a Pembrokeshire shooting club for more disability-friendly facilities has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club, through agent Andrew Sutton Architecture, sought permission for an extension to existing target shooting club building at The Firing Range, Withybush Road, Haverfordwest to improve accessibility and internal facilities, together with associated landscaping works.

A supporting statement said: “The club’s own published history states it was founded in 1968, moved from the Drill Hall to the old wartime airfield butts at Withybush by the early 1970s, and had developed facilities over time, including the clubhouse by 1999. The established leisure/community use has existed on the site for a number of years and the proposal does not seek to intensify the core activity beyond that already authorised/established.”

It added: “The primary objective of the scheme is to improve inclusive access to the club’s facilities for disabled users and those with reduced mobility. The internal arrangement will provide adequate entrance and lobby space, clear accessible routes and appropriately designed sanitary accommodation, including an accessible wetroom/shower and separate WC.”

It also said accessible parking and surfacing designed to provide a firm, even, slip-resistant route from parking to the principal entrance.

It added: “The Equality Act 2010 places duties on service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that people with additional access needs are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.

“The proposal is therefore a positive enhancement to a community/leisure facility and supports wider policy objectives for inclusive environments.”

It went on to say: “The club operates within a highly controlled environment, and the proposed works will maintain and enhance safety and security measures.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.